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Rid Your Home Of Fruit Flies

Summer is here! No matter what part of the country you live in there’s doubtless a plethora of fresh fruit growing steadily in your area. From peaches and nectarines in the Southeast to cherries in the Northwest, summer means fruit for many people.

A cornucopia of fruit, while healthy and delicious, can also mean fruit flies. These pesky insects are a nuisance in homes across America and they’re incredibly hard to get rid of.

How To Spot A Fruit Fly:

Fruit flies are tiny, about the size of the head of a pin, and they’re usually black or dark brown. Noiseless, these gnat-like insects prefer warm, moist places and will seek them out inside your home, from your fruit bowl to your dog’s mouth. Fruit flies come in by the dozens, so if you see one you’ve likely got more. The average fruit fly lives anywhere from 1-2 months.

How To Kill a Fruit Fly:

There are many home remedies when it comes to fruit flies. Perhaps the easiest involves a small bowl of sugar water, covered with saran wrap, with holes poked in the top. In theory, the flies are attracted to the sweet water and will find themselves stuck inside the bowl. Fly strips also work moderately well, but there are no home pesticides available that are safe or all that effective for fruit flies.

The best way to kill fruit flies is to starve them out. If you have fruit out on the counter, throw it away (outside!) and keep all food that may put off any smell at all inside the refrigerator. After a time, the flies will naturally leave your home to search for better food sources. If you have a persistent insect problem in your home, it may be a good idea to call in a pest control professional to find out if there’s something serious going on.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies:

Once they’re gone, it’s relatively easy to keep fruit flies at bay. Winter temperatures kill them off naturally but be wary of opening up windows and doors again when the mercury rises – fruit flies absentmindedly fly in any opening they can find. If you’ve had fruit flies in the past, never keep produce out on the counter, and consider removing any fruit-bearing trees or bushes you may have planted as they attract the swarms.

If you’ve got questions about bugs in your home, call a pest control pro in your local area today to find out more about your options. You don’t have to live with bugs this summer!